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EverFlame Chimney Care serves Flatiron, Manhattan (ZIP 10119), about 2 miles from our Lincoln Square office. Our certified technicians sweep, inspect, repair, reline and rebuild chimneys and clean dryer vents and air ducts for apartments, lofts and rowhouses.
EverFlame Chimney Care serves Flatiron from our office in Lincoln Square, about 2 miles north. Most buildings in the neighborhood are pre-war apartment and loft buildings, with some older rowhouses mixed in. Many still have original masonry chimneys, wood-burning fireplaces in individual units, and long-serving boiler flues. Our certified technicians sweep, inspect, repair and reline these systems. We also clean dryer vents and air ducts. This page covers what Flatiron owners and residents most often call us about and how we handle the work.
Chimney and Fireplace Care in Older Flatiron Buildings
In a pre-war building, one unit's fireplace may share a chimney stack with other flues, so the condition of that stack affects everyone who uses it. A Chimney Sweep removes creosote and soot from wood fires, along with debris that collects over time. While we sweep, we check the firebox, smoke chamber and damper so small problems show up before they become larger ones.
Fireplace & Damper Repair is a common need in older units where dampers have rusted, warped or stopped closing. A damper that won't seal lets heated air escape all winter and lets cold drafts and odors back in. We repair or replace dampers and fix cracked firebox brick and mortar so the fireplace can be used safely.
Annual Inspections and the Three Inspection Levels
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. A Chimney Inspection records the condition of your system. The level of inspection depends on your situation:
For Flatiron buildings, late summer or early fall is a practical time to schedule. New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. During that period, building owners must keep apartments heated to the city's minimum temperatures, so it helps to find flue problems before the boiler is running every day.
- Level 1: for a chimney in regular use when nothing about the system has changed.
- Level 2: when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is being sold.
- Level 3: when a suspected hidden hazard can only be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.
Protecting Masonry From New York Weather
New York winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and nor'easters drive rain and snow against rooftop chimneys. Water that soaks into brick and mortar expands when it freezes. Over time that loosens joints, breaks off brick faces and can let water into the building below. Humid summers then keep wet masonry from drying out.
We address water at the top of the chimney and along its sides:
- Chimney Cap & Chase Cover: keeps rain, snow, birds and debris out of the flue.
- Chimney Waterproofing: a breathable water repellent for sound masonry that slows water absorption.
- Chimney Repair: repointing mortar joints, replacing damaged brick and resealing crowns.
- Chimney Rebuilding: for stacks where deterioration has gone past what repairs can fix.
Oil-to-Gas Conversions and Chimney Liners
When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. We inspect the existing flue. If a liner is needed, we handle Chimney Liner Installation sized for the new appliance. Liners are also a common fix for older flues with cracked or missing clay tiles.
Dryer Vents and Air Ducts
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes. In apartments, dryer vents often run long distances through walls and ceilings, which gives lint more places to collect. Our Dryer Vent Cleaning clears the full run, not just the area near the lint trap, and we check that the exterior outlet is open.
For Air Duct Cleaning, we follow the U.S. EPA's guidance. Cleaning makes sense when ducts have substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. The EPA also notes that duct cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems, so we don't promise health benefits. We show you what we found and what we cleaned. We are careful with chemical treatments and use them only when there's a clear reason and you agree.
Serving Flatiron and Nearby Neighborhoods
Flatiron, in ZIP code 10119, is a short trip from our Lincoln Square office. We also work regularly in Midtown, Times Square, East Midtown, Turtle Bay and Hell's Kitchen. You might own a single unit, manage a co-op or condo building, or own a rowhouse. In each case, we can coordinate access to roofs, boiler rooms and individual apartments with your building staff.
ZIP codes we serve
- 10119